In the speech, President Obama emphasized the importance of maintaining the middle class tax cut, urging Republicans in Congress to agree to end tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and preserving them for people who make less than $250,000. Not extending the tax cuts would cost a family of four an extra $2,200 a year in income taxes, Obama said to the crowd Monday.

"We each were able to have a quick moment with the president before the program began," Schada said. "I thanked him for highlighting Michigan and the jobs that were created here."

Schada said President Obama told her workers like her reinforced their work by making sure economic development grows.

"He said, 'Keep up the great work in Plainwell,'" Schada said.

Schada said she invited President Obama to visit Plainwell. President Obama was "very personable, very responsive, very encouraging," Schada said. "As a public servant, it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone I look up to who also started at the grassroots level in communities and neighborhoods," Schada said.